Spatial and Temporal Variation of PM10 from Industrial Point Sources in a Rural Area in Limpopo, South Africa

Air pollution from industrial point sources accounts for a large proportion of air pollution issues affecting many communities around the world. However, emissions from these sources are technically controllable by putting in place abatement technologies with feasible and stringent regulatory conditions in the operation licenses. Pollution from other sources such as soil erosion, forest fires, road dust, and biomass burning, are subject to several unpredictable natural or economic factors. In this study, findings from dispersion modelling and spatial analysis of pollution were presented to evaluate the potential impacts of PM10 emissions from point sources in the Greater Tubatse Municipality of Limpopo, South Africa. The Air Pollution Model (TAPM) was used to model nested horizontal grids down to 10 km for meteorology and 4 km resolution for air pollution was used for simulation of PM10. An analysis of annual and seasonal variations of PM10 emissions from point sources was undertaken to demonstrate their impact on the environment and the surrounding communities based on 2016 emissions data. A simple Kriging method was used to generate interpolation surfaces for PM10 concentrations from industrial sources with the purpose of identifying their areas of impact. The results suggest that valley wind channeling is responsible for the distribution of pollutants in a complex terrain. The results revealed that PM10 concentrations were higher closer to the sources during the day and distributed over a wide area during the night.

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Impact of air pollution on reproductive health in Afghanistan

Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research ◽

10.31069/japsr.v3i2.1 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Khalid Akbar ◽

Taj Mohammad Khaksar

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Forest Fires ◽

Power Plants ◽

Indoor Air Pollution ◽

Volcanic Eruptions ◽

Point Sources ◽

Exhaust Emission ◽

Crustal Material ◽

Vehicle Exhaust ◽

High Level

The presence of one or more contaminants (harmful substances) in the atmosphere in a specific quantity, for such duration, which is injurious or tends to be injurious to human health, welfare, animal, or plant life is called air pollution. Air pollutants are of commonly two types, which are produced through natural pollutants; they include dust (crustal material), sea salts, biological material, pollen, spores or plant-animal debris, volcanic eruptions (which release a very large quantity of gases and particles into the atmosphere), periodic forest fires, thunderbolts, wind erosion, and low concentration ozone. Other types of pollutants are produced in human-made (technical) environments, like mobile sources (cars, trucks, airplanes, marine engines, etc.) or point sources (factories, electric power plants, etc.). The high level of air pollution is a big problem all over the world and also in Afghanistan, and all residents of this country are severely exposed to this ever-worsening situation. Air pollution and other extraordinary environmental problems are factors that threaten the livelihood of millions of Afghans, as a study report shows that 60% of Kabul’s residents are exposed to increased levels of harmful toxins, such as, nitrous oxides and sulfur dioxide. According to the State of Global Air report, more than 26,000 afghan deaths could be attributed to pollution in 2007, but United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) documented nearly 3,500 civilian casualties from the war for the same time period, so air pollution is killing more Afghans than war because they burn anything possible to get energy and heat they need. Result of air sampling in major urban centers of Afghanistan shows high amounts of particulate matters (PM), benzo-a-pyrene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) originating from vehicle exhaust emission. The highest concentrations were founded in Kabul and Mazar-e-Sharif (13.6 ng/m3 ). The absence of industrial parks, nonconformity of environmental protection rules, especially by industries, urbanization, degradation of fertile lands, deforestation, seasonal winds, drought, internal migration, and low knowledge about pesticides and herbicides use, are factors that boost the severity of air pollution in Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, women are more exposed to high levels of indoor air pollution because they spend more time at home due to their cultural rules; also, women have responsibility for household activities, working in the kitchen to prepare food, they are exposed to poor sanitation and contaminated water supplies, they clean and sweep rooms and yards with inadequate protection equipment, which are significant sources of dust, so they are often exposed to high levels of smoke and dust for long periods.

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Systems view of integrated water quality monitoring within the requirements of the new national water policy in South Africa

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.1998.0455 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 38 (11) ◽

pp. 141-148 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

P. Marjanovic ◽

M. Miloradov

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Water Quality ◽

Water Policy ◽

Systems Approach ◽

Water Quality Management ◽

Water Quality Monitoring ◽

Point Sources ◽

Quality Monitoring ◽

Efficient Manner ◽

National Water

The new National water policy will change the way water quality is managed in South Africa. The paper considers the water policy and the repercussions it will have for water quality monitoring in South Africa. Using the systems approach the paper discusses an integrated water quality monitoring system for ambient water quality and point and non point sources of aquatic pollution. The proposed methodology makes possible continuos assessment of water quality in an efficient manner so as to support water quality management in South Africa.

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Associations Between Ambient Particulate Air Pollution and Cognitive Function in Indonesian Children Living in Forest Fire–Prone Provinces

Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1177/10105395211031735 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 101053952110317

Author(s):

Bin Jalaludin ◽

Frances L. Garden ◽

Agata Chrzanowska ◽

Budi Haryanto ◽

Christine T. Cowie ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Cognitive Function ◽

Forest Fire ◽

Forest Fires ◽

Regression Models ◽

Individual Factors ◽

Aerodynamic Diameter ◽

Particulate Air Pollution ◽

Multivariable Models ◽

Particulate Matter 2.5

Smoke from forest fires can reach hazardous levels for extended periods of time. We aimed to determine if there is an association between particulate matter ≤2.5 µm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) and living in a forest fire–prone province and cognitive function. We used data from the Indonesian Family and Life Survey. Cognitive function was assessed by the Ravens Colored Progressive Matrices (RCPM). We used regression models to estimate associations between PM2.5 and living in a forest fire–prone province and cognitive function. In multivariable models, we found very small positive relationships between PM2.5 levels and RCPM scores (PM2.5 level at year of survey: β = 0.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.01% to 0.19%). There were no differences in RCPM scores for children living in forest fire–prone provinces compared with children living in non-forest fire–prone provinces (mean difference = −1.16%, 95% CI = −2.53% to 0.21%). RCPM scores were lower for children who had lived in a forest fire–prone province all their lives compared with children who lived in a non-forest fire–prone province all their life (β = −1.50%; 95% CI = −2.94% to −0.07%). Living in a forest fire–prone province for a prolonged period of time negatively affected cognitive scores after adjusting for individual factors.

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Air Pollution Epidemiological Studies in South Africa: Need for Freshening Up

Reviews on Environmental Health ◽

10.1515/reveh.2005.20.4.265 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Janine Wichmann ◽

Kuku V.V. Voyi

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Air Pollution ◽

Epidemiological Studies

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Contamination of the intake air of internal combustion engines of motor vehicles

Bulletin of the Military University of Technology ◽

10.5604/01.3001.0015.7010 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 70 (2) ◽

pp. 35-64

Author(s):

Sebastian Dominik Dziubak

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Internal Combustion Engines ◽

Strong Dependence ◽

Road Dust ◽

Volcanic Eruptions ◽

Internal Combustion ◽

Solid Particles ◽

Dust Concentration ◽

Combustion Engines ◽

Atmospheric Air

The paper presents the composition of atmospheric air as a mixture of gases that make up the solid and variable components, and the definitions of air pollutants are referenced. Gaseous and solid pollutants (dust) of the atmospheric air have been defined. Dusts were divided according to various criteria and their properties were given. Exemplary courses of immission of the fraction of solid particles are given, indicating a strong dependence of the immission on the seasons, days of the week and day and night. The sources and characteristics of artificial and natural pollutants in the atmospheric air are presented. It has been shown that the main sources of anthropogenic pollution in addition to industry and the automotive industry. Cars are a source of gaseous and particulate pollutants PM, and they also emit pollution from brake and clutch lining wear, as well as from tire and road wear. The main sources of natural air pollution were discussed, including volcanic eruptions, fires in landfills, forests, steppes and sand storms, as well as mineral dust (road dust) carried from the ground by vehicles. The properties of road dust are discussed: chemical and fractional composition, density, dust concentration in the air. It has been shown that the two basic components of the dust, silica and corundum, whose share in dust reaches 95%, also have the highest hardness, which may have a decisive influence on the wear of engine components. Various valuesof dust concentration in the air were presented depending on the type and condition of the ground and the conditions of use of vehicles. Keywords: mechanical engineering, internal combustion engines, air pollution sources, road dust

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Climate change and its impact on the development of allergic diseases

Rossiiskii Allergologicheskii ZHurnal ◽

10.36691/rja1386 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (4) ◽

pp. 7-18

Author(s):

Evgeniya V. Nazarova

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Respiratory System ◽

Forest Fires ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Allergic Diseases ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Dust Storms ◽

International Studies ◽

Treatment And Prevention ◽

Earth Temperature

Since the middle of the twentieth century, there has been a widespread increase in the prevalence of allergic diseases, especially in developed countries. Much attention is paid to the changing climate and its influence on the development of allergies, mainly of the respiratory system. In many countries, studies are intensifying to study the relationship of various weather phenomena, air pollution, Earth temperature with the course of certain allergic diseases of the respiratory tract. Global strategies for the treatment and prevention of allergic diseases are being developed. This review provides data from international studies demonstrating the negative impact on human health and the development of allergic diseases of the respiratory system, in particular asthma: a global rise in Earth temperature, air pollution, dust storms, forest fires, dampness in rooms and atmospheric mold, thunderstorms and floods.

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Pre-monsoon air quality over Lumbini, a world heritage site along the Himalayan foothills

10.5194/acp-2016-430 ◽

2016 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Dipesh Rupakheti ◽

Bhupesh Adhikary ◽

Puppala S. Praveen ◽

Maheswar Rupakheti ◽

Shichang Kang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Air Quality ◽

Forest Fires ◽

Air Pollutants ◽

Transport Model ◽

World Heritage ◽

World Heritage Site ◽

Pollution Level ◽

Pollution Transport ◽

Heritage Site

Abstract. Lumbini, in southern Nepal, is a UNESCO world heritage site of universal value as the birthplace of Buddha. Poor air quality in Lumbini and surrounding regions is a great concern for public health as well as for preservation, protection and promotion of Buddhist heritage and culture. We present here results from measurements of ambient concentrations of key air pollutants (PM, BC, CO, O3) in Lumbini, first of its kind for Lumbini, conducted during an intensive measurement period of three months (April–June 2013) in the pre-monsoon season. The measurements were carried out as a part of the international air pollution measurement campaign; SusKat-ABC (Sustainable Atmosphere for the Kathmandu Valley – Atmospheric Brown Clouds). The ranges of hourly average concentrations were: PM10: 10.5–604.0 µg m−3, PM2.5: 6.1–272.2 µg m−3; BC: 0.3–30.0 µg m−3; CO: 125.0–1430.0 ppbv; and O3: 1.0–118.1 ppbv. These levels are comparable to other very heavily polluted sites throughout South Asia. The 24-h average PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations exceeded the WHO guideline very frequently (94 % and 85 % of the sampled period, respectively), which implies significant health risks for the residents and visitors in the region. These air pollutants exhibited clear diurnal cycles with high values in the morning and evening. During the study period, the worst air pollution episodes were mainly due to agro-residue burning and regional forest fires combined with meteorological conditions conducive of pollution transport to Lumbini. Fossil fuel combustion also contributed significantly, accounting for more than half of the ambient BC concentration according to aerosol spectral light absorption coefficients obtained in Lumbini. WRF-STEM, a regional chemical transport model, was used to simulate the meteorology and the concentrations of pollutants. The model was able to reproduce the variation in the pollutant concentrations well; however, estimated values were 1.5 to 5 times lower than the observed concentrations for CO and PM10 respectively. Regionally tagged CO tracers showed the majority of CO came from the upwind region of Ganges valley. The model was also used to examine the chemical composition of the aerosol mixture, indicating that organic carbon was the main constituent of fine mode PM2.5, followed by mineral dust. Given the high pollution level, there is a clear and urgent need for setting up a network of long-term air quality monitoring stations in the greater Lumbini region.

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Observation and analysis of spatio-temporal characteristics of surface ozone and carbon monoxide at multiple sites in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

10.5194/acp-2017-709 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Khadak Singh Mahata ◽

Maheswar Rupakheti ◽

Arnico Kumar Panday ◽

Piyush Bhardwaj ◽

Manish Naja ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Forest Fires ◽

Mountain Pass ◽

Kathmandu Valley ◽

Emission Flux ◽

Mixing Ratio ◽

Top Down ◽

Monsoon Period ◽

Temporal Characteristics ◽

Mixing Ratios

Abstract. Residents of the Kathmandu Valley experience severe particulate and gaseous air pollution throughout most of the year, even during much of the rainy season. The knowledge base for understanding the air pollution in the Kathmandu Valley was previously very limited, but is improving rapidly due to several field measurement studies conducted in the last few years. Thus far, most analyses of observations in the Kathmandu Valley have been limited to short periods of time at single locations. This study extends on the past studies by examining the spatial and temporal characteristics of two important gaseous air pollutant (CO and O3) based on simultaneous observations over a longer period at five locations within the valley and on its rim, including a supersite (at Bode in the valley center, 1345 m above sea level) and four satellite sites (at Paknajol, 1380 m asl in the Kathmandu city center, at Bhimdhunga (1522 m asl), a mountain pass on the valley's western rim, at Nagarkot (1901 m asl), another mountain pass on the eastern rim, and Naikhandi, near the valley's only river outlet). CO and O3 mixing ratios were monitored from January to July 2013, along with other gases and aerosol particles by instruments deployed at the Bode supersite during the international air pollution measurement campaign SusKat-ABC (Sustainable Atmosphere for the Kathmandu Valley – endorsed by the Atmospheric Brown Clouds program of UNEP). The O3 monitoring at Bode, Paknajol and Nagarkot as well as the CO monitoring at Bode were extended beyond July 2013 to investigate their variability over a complete annual cycle. Higher CO mixing ratios were found at Bode than at the outskirt sites (Bhimdhunga, Naikhandi and Nagarkot), and all sites except Nagarkot showed distinct diurnal cycles of CO mixing ratio with morning peaks and daytime lows. Seasonally, CO was higher during the pre-monsoon and winter seasons, especially due to the emissions from brick kiln industries, which only operate during this period, as well as increased domestic heating during winter, and regional forest fires and agro-residue burning. It was lower during the monsoon due to rainfall, which reduces open burning activities within the valley and in the surrounding regions, and thus reduces the sources of CO. The meteorology of the valley also played a key role in determining the CO mixing ratios. Furthermore, there was evidence of some influence of pollution from the greater region around the valley. A top-down estimate of the CO emission flux was made by using the CO mixing ratio and mixing layer height (MLH) measured at Bode. The estimated annual CO flux at Bode was 4.92 μg m−2 s−1, which is 2–14 times higher than that in widely used emission inventory databases (EDGAR HTAP, REAS and INTEX-B). This difference in CO flux between Bode and other emission databases likely arises from large uncertainties in both the top-down and bottom-up approaches to estimating the emission flux. The O3 mixing ratio was found to be highest during the pre-monsoon season at all sites, while the timing of the seasonal minimum varied across the sites. The daily maximum 8 hour average O3 exceeded the WHO recommended guideline of 50 ppb on more days at the hilltop station of Nagarkot (159/357 days) than at the urban valley bottom sites of Paknajol (132/354 days) and Bode (102/353 days), presumably due to the influence of free-tropospheric air at the high-altitude site, as well as to titration of O3 by fresh NOx emissions near the urban sites. More than 78 % of the exceedance days were during the pre-monsoon period at all sites. This was due to both favorable meteorological conditions as well as contributions of precursors from regional sources such as forest fires and agro-residue burning. The high O3 mixing ratio observed during the pre-monsoon period is of a high concern for human health and ecosystems, including agroecosystems in the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding regions.

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